The album starts with a brilliant opener: Stargazers with nine minutes running time a musical event and a song that raises the bar for the rest of the songs extremely high. Besides Tobias Sammet here can be heard Russel Allen, Michael Kiske and even Jorn Lande.
It follows the titular track Angel Of Babylon, which is also performs by Tobias Sammet and Jorn Lande. Catchy melody and a great chorus: a song with hit potential.
It follows YOUR LOVE IS EVIL, which falls in comparison with the other titles something without being really bad. A solid rockers as one would wish it apart from other bands.
With DEATH IS JUST A FEELING there is then an absolute gem in Avantasia universe. Receipt of the song is more reminiscent of a musical piece before fat guitars and a stomping beat going. And above it all rises the distinctive voice of John Olivia (Savatage), which gives the song an absolute Gänsehautfakttor.
RAT RACE and DOWN IN THE DARK are then also two big firecrackers that were regarded by some reviewers as rather weaker titles. This assessment I can not follow. Sure can this not only consist of absolute stroke of genius. Both songs have solid grades and do not fall off on this album.
Time for lighters and sparklers is then at BLOWING OUT THE FLAME, perhaps the most beautiful Avantasiaballade. Tobias Sammet languishes so grandiose that it undresses Jon Bon Jovi rage shoes.
With SYMPHONY OF LOVE follows the most unusual song on the album. From the pen of Sascha Paeth performs Cloudy Yang a gloomy, melancholic rock song that is reminiscent of works of bands like Within Temptation or Evanescence.
The next two titles ALONE I REMEMBER and Promised Land are all about Jorn Lande. Both not necessarily typical Metal Opera Kracher, but just this variety is distinguished from Tobias Sammet as a songwriter.
Closes the album is by JOURNEY TO ARCADIA, an orchestral Bombatsch power scraps that you have to listen to several times also to capture all his quality. A fitting conclusion to the album and thus of the entire trilogy.
Overall, Angel Of Babylon seamlessly from the class of the Scarecrow and does not shy away from the direct comparison with The Wicked Symphony. Even this album needs a few passages to really convince the listener, but it seems the more lasting. Especially gratifying is the musical diversity that Tobias Sammet offers both on this album, as well as The Wicked Symphony. Some reviewers have complained that the two albums in total some contained on average goods. That is the impression I can not confirm. Both albums showcase a number of excellent songs, and are absolutely consistent.
We can only hope that Tobias Sammet after a creative break (in which he may bless us with a new Edguy album) another Avantasiaalbum is attacking. These albums are an absolute must-have for every fan of harder music.
